Crowdcrafting: Putting Citizens in Control of Citizen Science

Six months ago, Crowdcrafting, an “open-source platform for online citizen science and crowdsourced data analysis” supported by the Open Knowledge Foundation, launched. Since its launch, it has grown in size to 120 projects, with a number of these projects built and developed using the tool. Included are important projects such as: ForestWatchers, which tracks deforestation in developing countries; Antimatter, a project that explores if antimatter falls up or down; and Magicicada, which helps track the 17-year cicada brood.

Data collected for Crowdcrafting projects are deposited in the Open Knowledge Foundation’s database, CKAN. CKAN is an open data database, meaning that the data will be available for re-use, not hidden away on someone’s laptop – making this an excellent tool for future projects.

Citizen Science projects, like the ones hosted through Crowdcrafting, are an awesome way to be involved in the scientific community, and you’re providing real information that helps further science. Citizen Science helps science move faster, and brings about new and unusual findings that one lab could never achieve on its own. AND you don’t need rigorous training in science to help – Citizen Science projects are made so that anyone, anywhere, can make a difference!

You can read more about Crowdcrafting in a Press Release from the Open Knowledge Conference. So check it out, check out Crowdcrafting, and start helping today!